Zhané

Released: April 22, 1997

Songwriter: Billy Joel

Producer: Malik Pendleton

[Verse 1]
If you say goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do?
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time

[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
It's been so long since I felt so right
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
For the longest

[Verse 2]
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall (Zhané)
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right and I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far and it's more than I hoped for
Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time
I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself hold on to your heart
Now I know the man that you are
You're wonderful so far and it's more than I hoped for
I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
And I think that you should know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time

[Refrain]
Oh, oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh, oh (Oh, oh, oh)

[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
It's been so long since I felt so right
Oh, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time (Oh)
For the longest
Oh (Oh), oh (Oh), oh, oh (Oh)
For the longest time
It's been so long since I felt so right
Oh (Oh), oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
For the longest

Zhané was a ‘90s R&B group consisting of Jean Norris and Renee Neufville. The two met while they attended Temple University. After working with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince in 1991 on their track “Ring My Bell,” they were persuaded to become a group. They came up with the name Zhané as a combination of their first names Jean and Renee with the French accent on Jean and using a “Z” to stand out. With some help from Naughty By Nature producer Kay Gee, they released their debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay in 1994 featuring the Top 40 singles “Hey Mr. D.J.,” “Groove Thang,” and “Sending My Love.” The album went Platinum as it peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the R&B Albums chart.

After appearing on songs for Busta Rhymes (“It’s a Party”) and De La Soul (“4 More”) in 1996, the duo released their second album Saturday Night in 1997. This album yielded the singles “Request Line” and “Crush” but the album ended up being the last from the group. One of their last collaborations was on the hook for Naughty By Nature’s hit single “Jamboree” in 1999.

From the album

Saturday Night (1997)

Zhané popular songs

For the Longest TimeZhané

Zhané